Multiple ARP functionality for an IP data transmission system

摘要

Data transmission system for transmitting packetized data from an IP host (10) having at least an IP layer (34) and a network layer to a plurality of workstations (12, 14) by the intermediary of an IP network (16) and wherein the IP host is connected to the IP network via a layer 2 network (18) interfacing the IP network by a set of routers (20, 22, 24). The IP host further includes a Multiple Address Resolution Protocol (MARP) layer (36) between the IP layer and the network layer for selecting one of the set of routers in response to the next hop IP address provided by the IP layer to the multiple ARP layer when a packet of data is to be transmitted from the IP host to one of the workstations.